The Orientation Handbook is now available online!

The Orientation Handbook for the academic year 2014-15 is now available online. The handbook contains a lot of practical information that will help you get started with your student life and to navigate through daily life. It includes for example general information about living in Finland and studying in the University of Helsinki.

A printed copy will be given to all new international students at the Welcome Fair in August 2014.

It’s the ultimate survival guide for new students, so have a look at it!

To the Orientation Handbook on our New students website >>

Pääsiäinen – Time for witches, mämmi and chocolate eggs

Do not panic if, on the Sunday preceding Easter, little Easter witches — especially girls — dressed up in colourful clothes and painted cheeks and freckles turn up at your door.

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The witches go from door to door carrying willow twigs decorated with coloured feathers and paper. They recite the traditional rhyme: ”Virvon, varvon, tuoreeks terveeks, tulevaks vuodeks; vitsa sulle, palkka mulle!” meaning “I wave a twig for a fresh and healthy year ahead; a twig for you, and a treat for me!”
Continue reading “Pääsiäinen – Time for witches, mämmi and chocolate eggs”

Activities in Helsinki

ulkoruokailua2Streat Helsinki celebrates street food in March 2014. Streat Helsinki events, named EATS, TALKS and PARTIES, include a lot of talk, but also actions, not forgetting some celebratory partying.

The Streat Helsinki EATS street food festival takes over the Tori Quarters on 22 March. During the event, city dwellers get to enjoy pioneering street food from international street kitchens and street food treats from a large group of Finnish and international street food experts. The Tori Quarters are located right next to the University Main Building between Market Square and Senate Square. The event is open for all and free of charge.

At the same weekend Living room exhibition changes homely habitations to art galleries. For two days contemporary art from different countries will be exhibited in private room of Helsinki. Check out some art and homes at 21st and 22nd March!

Photo: Maija Astikainen / Streat Helsinki

Introducing Finland: classic among the classics!

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Memorial for the national author and playwright Aleksis Kivi by Wäinö Aaltonen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Aleksis Kivi’s Day! Today is a birthday of the National writer Aleksis Kivi; the occasion is also celebrated as the Day of Finnish literature.

Aleksis Kivi, originally Alexis Stenvall, (1834-1872), was a Finnish national author and poet, creator of modern Finnish literature. His major novel, Seitsemän veljestä “The seven brothers” (1870), the classic of Finnish culture, has been translated into several languages. Continue reading “Introducing Finland: classic among the classics!”

Ciné Developé Film Festival 7-11 October 2013

As a part of the Development Cooperation Week, Cine Developé Film Festival, a five-day long documentary film festival, will take place at the university and present long and short documentaries from all over the world. Organized by the Committee for Development Cooperation of HYY, the themes of this year are employment and development.

There will be 13 documentary screenings, as well as master classes and panel discussions during the week. All events are free of charge and free beverages will be served. Unless stated otherwise, the events take place at Mannerheim Hall of the New Student House (Uusi Ylioppilastalo, Mannerheimintie 5 A).

Survival tips for autumn

autumnleavesSummer seems to be over for this year and autumn is knocking on our door. The seasonal changes in Finland can be both wonderful or not-that-appreciated – it depends on who you ask 🙂

Below we’ve collected some things you can do in and around Helsinki, hopefully these activities makes autumn and the shorter days a little easier for you.

  • Take a break from studying and go for a walk in the nature. What could be more beautiful than the colorful leaves in the trees. One place to get close to nature is the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia.
  • Check out the sports activities organized by Unisport.
  • Check out the traditional Herring Market at the Market Square, October 6th to 12th, 2013.
  • Visit the Carnival of Light at the Linnanmäki amusement park, October 12th to 20th, 2013.
  • Go see a movie in one of the several movie festivals: Love & Anarchy September 19th to 29th, Cinemaissi October 16th to 20th, Night Visions October 10th to November 3rd. For a full list of all the movie festivals, visit the Cinemania website.
  • Join the next Restaurant Day with your own restaurant or just go and enjoy the food and atmosphere, November 16th 2013.
  • Follow the Finnish Autumn traditions by lighting a candle, putting on warm woollen socks, sipping a hot drink and reading a good book in the warmth of your sofa.

Wish you a nice Autumn,
Anna & Emilia
Student Services

Photo by 123rf

Farmer’s Market, workshops and much more at Viikki campus

Foodycle – a two-day food festival at Viikki campus and Suvilahti on September 12th-13th brings together academics, artists and grassroots organisations from different fields to experience and discuss sustainable food production.

At the festival you can buy fresh food from local farmers and entrepreneurs, join hands-on workshops and panel discussions and even take a tour at the Viikki farm. The festival combines both theory and practice offering a scientific point of view on sustainable food production as well as tools for participants to contribute to improving our food system.

Come and share your ideas for sustainable food in the current and future Finland or just simply enjoy the atmosphere and fresh products! You can read more about the festival program at the Foodcycle website and Facebook page.

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